[Evaluation years in leprosy patients treated with single dose alternative scheme ROM (rifampin, ofloxacin, minocycline), after seven to nine].

INTRODUCTION: In 1997, after obtaining a combined multi-state double-blind randomly controlled clinical trial study from nine Indian centers involved in the treatment of Hansen's Disease, the Ministry of Health adapted the single dose ROM Therapy approach in those cases involving the treatment of a single skin lesion, paucibacillary leprosy without evidence of peripheral nerve trunk involvement and indication of negative baciloscope, in the Referral Centers in Brazil. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the single dose ROM Therapy approach in those patients who were treated from the period of 1997 to 1999 in the Ambulatory Dermatologic Unit in the Hospital in Vitória, ES.

METHODS: Fifty-four patients with tuberculoid and indeterminate leprosy were selected and treated with the single dose ROM Therapy approach. These patients were contacted from March 2006 up and until October 2006 for further clinical reevaluation.

RESULTS: From the studies conducted, the following results were found to exist: 29 patients (85,2%; 95%CI: 70-100,4) were cured, 5 patients (14,7%; 95%CI: 7,4-22,0) relapsed, and 20 patients didn't return; however, there are no additional records of any notification of other treatment(s) in the State Department of Health's informational data banks.

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a rate of cure of 90.8% and a rate of relapse of 9.2% after a period of seven to nine years using the single dose ROM Therapy approach. Additionally, this alternative treatment further demonstrated a better effectiveness for a single skin lesion smaller than four centimeters and with an appearance in less than five years.